-Bell Cranel-
Walking down the streets early in the morning, side by side with two particular people was becoming… mildly inconvenient for Bell.
‘’Look! That dude has fur on his entire body, see?!’’ Roy shouted, grabbing gazes and whispers wherever he went. Not because he was particularly eye-catching, but because of how loud he was. ‘’What is that other than a beastman, you dunce?’’
‘’There’s way too many names form ‘em, hoomie!’’ Midna pushed back. While her tone had an air of frustration. The sharp upturn of her lips proved to Bell that the Pallum was merely indulging the man. ‘’Something-hume, Beastman, Demi-human. How the fuck am I supposed to differentiate if they even can’t!’’
‘’Bitch, you racist?’’ Asked Roy, making Bell’s steps falter. ‘’The Humes are just partial. Two traits or less. Beast-folk have a fuck-ton of them and straight-up act like their animal counterparts. It’s just that obvious!’’
‘’What about the Demi?’’ Midna shot back, arms crossed.
‘’Those are the results of humans dipping in the chocola—I mean, dipping in them furs. Fucking, duh.’’ The man rationalized. Chest puffed, all smug.
Let Bell rephrase that. They were not inconvenient, they were downright terrifying.
‘What would other people think of Goddess Hestia if they saw us like this?’ Bell wondered, downcast. She even tried not making eye contact to avoid recognition. ‘I cannot even wear a hood to hide these ears…’
Hoods were uncomfy. That lesson, she learnt at an early age.
‘’Ah, if it isn’t the funny adventurers!’’ A cheerful voice cut through the ramblings of the two people behind her, grabbing Bell’s attention. Turning to her side with a curious glint in her eyes, they suddenly widened as she recognized the street they were walking. ‘’Hello there, Little Story-Teller, Madman, Masked-Pallum~!’’
‘S-story Teller?’ Bell’s face broke into a flush.
Syr Flova waved at their group. She had a broom in her hands and was clearly dusting the entrance to the Hostess of Fertility. Some noises and moving maids inside revealed that the restaurant was probably being cleaned up and prepared for customers later that day.
Bell matched the wave with a shy one and a wobbly smile. ‘Well, at least this part of my life may be a bit normal…’
‘’Yo, it’s the money-grubber!’’ Roy shouted with a cackle following his statement. ‘’Short-time no see!’’
‘Or not…’
‘’And what are those awful nicknames now?’’ Midna commented—she had suddenly taken space on Roy’s shoulder, pushing her distinctive stone mask against the man’s face. ‘’Why do we not get cutesy nicknames like bun-bun here?’’
Syr looked completely unbothered by the sudden accusation. Merely offering a wider smile. ‘’Well, that’s because Bell’s the cutest out of you, of course.’’
Those words made the three turn their eyes on Bell. A lone, red one, two chocolate ones, and two silver ones were examining her up and down, which made a shiver go down Bell’s spine. Did they have to embarrass her every time?!
‘’Yep. Fair is fair. Bun-bun is the cutest.’’ Roy shrugged, with Midna nodding against his head.
‘’Isn’t she?!’’ Syr claimed, hugging the broom close as she swayed side to side.
Her face felt like it was about to combust. ‘Uhh… why do they always do this…?’
‘’Think we broke her…’’ Syr hummed and finally turned her attention back to the other two. ‘’Anyway~ Are you three heading to the dungeon now? It’s so early, isn’t it?’’
‘’You’re just lazy.’’ Midna jabbed half-heartedly. Earning a small slap to the head from Roy. ‘’Hey!’’
‘’Early bird gets the worm and whatnot.’’ The man shrugged, ignoring the glaring Pallum currently messing with his hair as a form of vengeance. ‘’Also, we just got our own place, and shit’s not cheap. Gotta earn back that cash.’’
The way the brown-haired human suddenly deflated with a lost look made Syr tilt her head in confusion. When she turned to Bell, the bunny merely shrugged with a tense smile.
It was better to let sleeping bears lie; that’s what her Grandpa taught her.
Syr hummed, looking Roy up and down with a sudden frown. ‘’But weren’t you just in a bad… accident, two days ago? Isn’t it scary to go back to the Dungeon so soon?’’
‘’Scary my ass.’’ Roy scoffed, rolling his eyes. ‘’If anything, I’m getting minced-fucking-meat if I found another one of those fuckers. Now I know to aim for the sensitive bits of flesh~’’ He cackled madly.
Syr could only laugh nervously. ‘’…Adventurers really are something else. Well, I hope the trip does you well.’’
‘’May riches and bitches find our way!’’ Midna cheered, stepping onto Roy’s shoulders and pumping her fist in the air.
‘’That’s what I’m saying.’’ Roy nodded with a grin. Pushing his hand upwards. ‘’Dap me up, cuh.’’
Clap!
‘Is daily life always a stage for these two?’ Bell wondered. However, a sigh of relief escaped her lips a moment after. ‘Though it’s good that they’re so cheerful, too. That moment, with the Minotaur…’
It sent a wave of terror down Bell’s spine. Even remembering its angry snout was enough to make Bell’s ears stand on end, and her fluffy tail puff up.
‘’In any case.’’ As Familia Leader. Bell took the opportunity to cut the moment short. ‘’We really should get going before other Adventurers—‘’
Groooooowl…
Roy snorted. ‘’That’s what you get for skipping breakfast.’’
‘’She did?’’ Syr questioned. Turning to her with a pout, and waving a chastising finger around. ‘’You can’t just skip breakfast, especially if you plan on doing something as risky as going into the Dungeon, Little Story-Teller!’’
Bell could only let her head fall in shame. Ears flat against the sides of her head. ‘’But… Nevermind. I’m sorry.’’
It wasn’t her fault, not at all!
Their Goddess couldn’t hear through the thick walls, but Bell could! How was she supposed to ignore the… noises! IF ONLY they had stopped around dinner time, but she was woken up by them in the middle of the night, too!
Midna even shot her a knowing grin while walking down the stairs this morning! How was she even supposed to sit down at the table to eat with them?!
‘’…Haa. Guess it can’t be helped. Wait here!’’ Syr said with a smile before walking back and vanishing behind the doors of the establishment.
‘’Seriously, though.’’ Roy’s voice made her head turn. She shot the man a raised eyebrow. ‘’Just pack something light if you’re not feeling up for breakfast. I don’t know, some breadsticks or something.’’
That… That was actually a good idea.
…But breadsticks without sauce? That was kind of bland. Hm, how long could a light salad hold with all the running and fighting?
‘’What’cha think she’s looking for?’’ Midna asked, glancing between the double doors and us.
‘’Kind part of my brain says food for our bun-bun here—‘’ Bell went to speak, only for another growl of her stomach to shut her up immediately. ‘’—Yeah. Though, considering how much of a money-grubber that chick is, I’d say she’s going to turn that on her and make her come later tonight to eat.’’
‘’S-syr wouldn’t do that!’’ Bell shook her head. Giving her best attempt at a glare at the man. ‘’She’s… kind! Maybe a bit greedy, but surely not that much.’’
…Right?
‘’Sorry for the wait~’’ As if prompted, Syr came back out with a small box and offered it to her. Already, Bell’s nose twitched. A sweet, delicious smell wafting out of the box made her ears perk up. ‘’You can’t go on an empty stomach, so here you go!’’
A deep warmth suddenly settled on Bell’s chest. ‘’I—I couldn’t possibly.’’
‘’Taaaaaake it~!’’ Syr insisted, pushing the box into her chest.
Well, if she asked so forcefully…
‘’Thank you very much.’’ She bowed her head with a smile.
The way the girl’s smile shone at her words made Bell’s heart skip a beat. It was… beautiful! So cute, too. She knew that Syr was kind-hearted, and it showed right here and now—
‘’Hey, money-grubber.’’ Roy suddenly cut through the moment, making Bell tense up. His suspicious, chocolate eyes focused on the waitress’s face. ‘’Thought the place was closed, so the kitchen shouldn’t be running right now. How did you get something prepared to eat so fast?’’
Huh. Actually, how did she?
And when Bell turned to face Syr once more, her heart dropped. The girl was smiling nervously, scratching her cheek with a finger.
‘’Ah, it seems you caught me… That was actually my lunch!’’ Syr confessed. However, it only made the act all the more kind in retrospect— ‘’So, as compensation, make sure to come tonight and spend lots on tasty food, alright? Let my sacrifice not be in vain!’’
…No way.
‘’There it is!’’ Midna cackled, almost falling out of Roy’s shoulders as she clutched her belly.
Bell looked in betrayal at the silver-haired girl. Who could only offer an apologetic smile in return. ‘’Hope you enjoy the food~!’’
Bell, with the air blown out of her sails, could only look down. Absolutely downthrown as she started slowly walking in the dungeon’s direction.
The sheer smugness of the man right beside her could be felt in a radius around him. And Bell bets that if she turned her head, she would see a wry, crooked grin on his face.
Of course, just because she didn’t look, that didn’t mean she couldn’t hear.
‘’Told you so.’’ The man gloated. ‘’Oh, it feels so right to be proven right. Hm-mhm. Exquisite.’’
‘’Shut up, Roy.’’ Bell’s left eye twitched.
‘’Ah, she bit back!’’ Midna claimed with a small chuckle. ‘’We are corrupting the bun-bun!’’
Was she supposed to not react, considering her ruined morning?!
Give her a break!
‘’‘’We are corrupting the bun-bun~’’’’ Both of them chanted all the way to the dungeon.
Seriously, how could people be as attractive as they were… obnoxious?!
Yeah, she said it! Obnoxious!
-X-x-X-
Once in front of the Dungeon’s entrance, Bell hesitated.
Her eyes turned back to the man behind her. His eyes found hers, and he tilted his head to the side. Confused. His brown locks of hair swiveled with the light breeze.
The same brown locks she had seen soaked in blood in this very entrance. The memory of his chocolate eyes just… dull. Devoid of life. Plagued her mind and sent a tremor down her spine
‘’What, do I have something on my face?’’ Roy asked, bemused.
‘’Lemme see…’’ Midna hummed. Roy looked upwards at the Pallum on his shoulder. Only for the latter to slap him in the forehead. ‘’Ha!’’
‘’Fuck!’’ Roy cursed, sneering. ‘’How the fuck did I fall for that?!’’
‘’Get got, hoomie.’’
‘’Fuck off.’’
Their usual antics could cheer Bell so much, after all. Should they really go down in the Dungeon today? Sure, Roy was all healed up, and after getting his Status updated, he should take hits better, but…
Bell’s fists clenched. The other two didn’t seem to notice her inner turmoil as they bickered with one another.
She is the leader of this Familia, isn’t she? Her word means something.
Yet, just as she was about to open her mouth and tell the two that they should head back and try another day, a cheerful voice called them out.
Quickly approaching through the street. An Amazon girl of short black hair, carrying a sachet, waved at them with her free hand. Tiona, otherwise known as Crusher, and one of Loki Familia’s executives.
‘’It’s the nice Amazon lady!’’ Roy called out. Interrupting his bickering to wave at the woman.
‘’Hey, I have a name, you know? I told you it!’’ Tiona pouted as she finally closed the distance. The small number of adventurers going into the dungeon made space for the wild, tanned woman. Now in front of them, she crossed her arms. ‘’T-I-O-N-A! How many times do I have to tell you?’’
‘’Oh, yeah?’’ Roy raised an eyebrow, matching Tiona’s crossed arms. ‘’What’s my name, then?’’
The Amazon opened her mouth with confidence… then suddenly froze.
‘’Uh…’’ Tiona blinked. ‘’…Ray Raynolds?’’
‘’Wrong.’’ Bonk—The man, without an ounce of shame or respect. Tapped the top of Tiona’s head. Bell froze, and even the Amazon herself looked at the action with wide, verdant eyes. ‘’Raynolds is my last name, but I’m Roy. R-O-Y. Just remember it.’’
‘He’s a menace. Why does he always have to be a menace?’ Bell asked in her mind.
The Amazon was unbothered, however. Merely laughing the act off and swiping at the hand still on top of her head. ‘’Bah! We are both in the wrong, then!’’
‘’But you were in the wrong last, so I win.’’ Roy shook his head. Smiling smugly.
‘’How does that make any sense?!’’ Tiona pouted. Then sighed in exasperation a moment later. ‘’Anyway… You three going to the Dungeon?’’
‘’Sure are!’’ Midna replied. Resting her chin on top of Roy’s head. The man had taken to giving the Pallum a piggy-back ride. ‘’What about you? Why up so early, nice Amazon lady?’’
Tiona deadpanned, but that only made Midna’s grin all the more smug.
‘’Well… I was actually getting some errands done for my sister.’’ Tiona commented. Pushing the bag in her hand up. ‘’Probably should get to that, too…’’
‘’Why not accompany us for a bit?’’ Roy asked.
Both Bell and Tiona turned their eyes back to him. Accompany them? Bell knew that the man cared little for the usual ‘norms’ that adventurers followed, but surely he should know that, unless explicitly allied with each other, or under dire circumstances, Familias didn’t cooperate inside the Dungeon, right?
Not to mention, this was an Executive of the Loki Familia! Bell had asked how strong they were to Eina yesterday, and the Executive members didn’t go lower than Level FIVE!
‘’Huh, why so?’’ Tiona seemed less put off by the question. If anything, she seemed curious. ‘’You know you won’t get Excellia if I kill all the monsters, right?’’
‘’Nothing like that. Those are my kills, thank you very much.’’ Roy huffed. Then, his gaze turned to Bell. The usual smugness or mischief in those orbs was missing, causing her to freeze. ‘’Bun-bun here has been tensing up each and every time we mention the Dungeon. You know… because of that.’’
Tiona winced, as if struck, but Roy continued unbothered. ‘’Thought that having someone like you around would make her settle down a bit.’’
‘’Roy…’’ Bell’s lips pursed. A deep sense of guilt suddenly pooled in her stomach. Her ears drooped slightly. ‘Of course… How can I be so dumb? Roy’s the one who almost died. And here I am, trying to impede his own Adventure because of what I think…!’
The thought caused her deep anguish. The image of an old man telling her stories about Orario came to the forefront of her mind.
Bell suddenly bowed her head. ‘’I’m very sorry, Roy!’’
The man’s eyes became wide as saucers. ‘’Hey, hey, what are you doing all of a sudden? Raise your head, you dunce.’’
‘’No! I feel the need to atone!’’
‘’Where is this sudden pushback coming from? There’s nothing to apologize for!’’
‘’I’m still sorry!’’
Tiona, who was watching this back and forth, suddenly broke into a giggle fit. Even cleaning a stray tear from her eye. ‘’You guys sure are weird, but… Ah, what the hell. Fine! Let’s see how the Hestia Familia does in a Dungeon Crawl! Supervised by none other than one of the Hyryute sisters!’’
Bell, finally out of the perfect, ninety-degree bow, turned to Tiona. ‘’I… I should say there’s no need… but people have been doing what they want anyway whenever I say it.’’
‘’Damn right!’’ Tiona nodded, hands on her hips. ‘’Though… where should I put the bag? Don’t want it getting roughed up.’’
As if prompted, a living shadow moved in front of Tiona. The Amazon tensed for a second, then turned to Midna, who eagerly gestured to the pool of darkness.
Tiona stuck her bag inside, and the shadow disappeared. ‘’Huh… convenient.’’
‘’Speak for yourself…’’ Roy huffed, rotating his shoulders. ‘’Midna sticks all that crap in my shadow, and for some reason, it makes me feel heavier.’’
‘’Really?! That’s just like a story-book character, actually training twenty-four-seven! Then, they suddenly remove their limiters in a serious fight type of thing!’’ Tiona’s eyes filled with stars. Her body was even shaking.
‘’…Okay, that sounds way cooler.’’ Roy agreed as he stepped forward. ‘’What was even in that bag? Shit’s heavy.’’
‘’Oh… My sister, Tione, wanted to make some wood carvings.’’ Tiona hummed, following the pair with her own, happy stride. ‘’So, a good few pounds of wood and new carving tools!’’
‘’Of course…’’ Roy sighed.
With the addition of Tiona to their little rag-tag group, Bell finally sighed in relief.
‘There shouldn’t be any problems like this, right?’ Bell thought as she descended the steps to the first floor.
Then suddenly froze.
‘’Bell?’’ Asked Roy, looking back.
‘’…Roy, I think I jinxed it.’’ Bell stated.
The man paused and took a deep breath. Then, he approached her and patted her head.
Why does it feel like she’s suddenly being comforted?!
‘’In situations like this, there’s one simple saying, Bell.’’ Roy said wisely as he beckoned her down. Continuing the steps. Even Tiona looked intrigued, but Midna just grinned. ‘’Repeat after me… It is what it is.’’
‘’It is what it is?’’ Bell frowned.
‘’It is what it is.’’ Roy nodded wisely.
‘’Huh…’’ Bell blinked. ‘’…It is what it is.’’
‘’Exactly.’’ Roy nodded with a happy smile.
-X-x-X-
-Tiona Hyryute-
Tiona merely stayed back. Like she told Roy, she was not about to interfere and help them fight through the floors in any way. There was, after all, no point. Maybe more than just getting the magic stones.
But that was sooooooo boring, so she wouldn’t do that either!
Instead, she observed the three rookies fight through Goblins, Kobolds, and the occasional Dungeon Lizard. Albeit those were weak monsters that any adventurer worth their salt—level one or not—should be able to easily take care of.
Though the Dungeon seemed particularly angry today. Every monster came in a pack of five or more.
But, if Tiona was being honest… the group didn’t do half-bad.
Two Kobolds roared. Carved stone knives in their hands. A natural weapon that the two furry menaces were using to try and strike the agile Bunny-hume.
‘’On your six and eight, bun-bun!’’ Midna called from her place behind the two.
‘’Got it!’’ Bell quickly dispatched the goblins in her way. The twin daggers in her hands spun as she stabbed forward. The dog-like monster was bisected side to side in a single, clean move.
‘’Haaa!’’ As for the remaining kobold, Bell side-stepped out of the way, bringing her heel down on the monster’s back. Then a second stomp came down on the prone kobold’s head, turning it into a splatter in the ground.
Two more kobolds soon took the place of the deceased ones. Undeterred, Bell pushed forward. Her left ear twitched as she suddenly turned and smacked away a stone that had been thrown by another goblin in an attempt to make her slip.
‘’Rahhhr!’’ The two kobolds took the opportunity to pounce.
Bell’s eyes narrowed, her dagger cut the air, and one of the dog-monsters lost its left arm. The remaining one, however, was already too close to the girl to be pushed away.
Something sharp cut through the air, and the remaining kobold fell to the ground. Dead. A small knife was embedded into its… nethers.
‘’Don’t tell me you’re getting rusty now, Bell!’’ Roy shouted. One of his hands was extended, marking him as the owner of the knife. ‘’It’s only been a few days. Get your head in the game!’’
‘’Yes!’’ The Bunny-hume nodded. Posture tensing as she shot back into the fray.
‘’Now, who wants some?!’’
Roy, for his part, was very different. Where Bell was careful and agile, the man just kept running circles around the monsters.
Another knife flew, cutting into a goblin’s throat with enough strength to go right through and cut into a second monster’s chest. Not enough to kill its second target, but that didn’t seem to be the human’s plan.
‘’You’re all slow as fuck, I could dodge you in my sleep!’’ Roy cackled. Jumping away from a kobold’s sharp claws. In the middle of the air, he looked upwards with a gleeful glint in his eye. ‘’Don’t think I didn’t see you there! Midna, go!’’
Clap!
In a second, the Dungeon Lizard took Roy’s position, and the man fell into the monster instead of the other way around. Roy then was easily able to use one of his knives to pierce the monster’s chest.
As if it were a springboard, he pushed the dying Lizard down and into a group of goblins, sending the creatures into even further chaos while Bell cut down the numbers.
That was what surprised Tiona most of all. The unassuming—and honestly strange—Pallum girl who accompanied the two. Tiona first thought that it was their supporter, as there weren’t many fighting Pallums out there.
Instead, she was quickly proven wrong. The little gal was a real piece of work!
A wide grin cut through Midna’s face. Her hands clapped once. All of a sudden, Bell, who was getting pushed back by a group of monsters, was exchanged with Roy.
The so-called Madman hugged the wall closely and started throwing knives around like a maniac. Whether they killed or not, he didn’t care. His objective was clear after a while. Maim and debilitate the monsters while they struggled to get a hold of him.
…For some reason, he also seemed to be aiming at their crotches. Tiona would question it, but the monsters hit in such a way kept dropping like flies, so she kept her mouth shut.
Anyway. Bell, in exchange, was swapped into Roy’s previous group. The stunned, bleeding goblins and kobolds were unable to match Bell in speed, and quick swipes of her daggers put an end to their short lives.
The otherwise crass movements and wild throws of the group that would have put another party in grave danger? They were all premeditated to kill the largest amount of monsters at once.
Even the knives that were discarded were suddenly swallowed by shadows and then deposited on Roy’s belt or hand for him to throw around once more. The magic stones, too, were stored by the Pallum.
‘’How long ago did you start adventuring, again?’’ Tiona asked from her place, leaning against the wall. ‘’A few months?’’
‘’Less than two weeks.’’ Mida grinned but didn’t turn her gaze away from the battle. Her hands were at the ready to clap once more in case it was needed. ‘’Impressed, girly?’’
‘’A bit.’’ Tiona hummed.
Sure, to her, their movements were awfully slow. Like watching paint dry. Years of fighting and training also helped Tiona notice when the group committed mistakes.
Bell, too, wasn’t free of that. Only that instead of overcommitting, she was too quick to pull out. Not securing the kill right in front of her for fear of retaliation from the monster group. Ignoring the fact that most of those same monsters would have been too weak to cause any significant damage!
But overall? They were doing fine. Heck, more than fine! She didn’t remember being this quick as a Rookie Level One.
Albeit… she also didn’t fight goblins as a Level One…
But semantics! With less than two weeks’ progress, Tiona could safely say that these three were doing quite alright!
‘’Midna, I left a few slip past!’’ Roy commented off-handedly. His left hand tore the cloak off his body as he threw it around, using it to obscure a kobold’s vision. The monster growled and took a swipe, missing his body entirely before it got a knife to the brain. ‘’Peek-a-boo!’’
Sure enough, two kobolds ignored the front fighters and tried their chance at Midna instead. Thinking that because she stayed behind and her… unimpressive size, that she was free pickings.
A mistake that was quickly punished.
‘’Oh? The little mutts want to play?’’ Midna cackled. Her lone eye gleamed in satisfaction as her grin took a dangerous edge. ‘’Fine by me! Let’s play catch… Only that it’s me catching you!’’
The Pallum’s orange hair became longer. Impossibly longer. And the strands, acting as if they were snakes, snuck up on the kobolds from all sides. They tried to swipe at the strands, but on contact, their claws broke apart, and the hair-turned-weapon enveloped them from all sides.
‘’Rabid dogs get put down~’’ Midna cheered.
And her hair proceeded to render flesh from bone. Tearing the Kobolds apart in a rain of stinky monster blood that barely missed the two of them.
Two magic stones and a fang were the only evidence that the creatures existed in the first place.
Tiona was curious, though. ‘’Is that chantless magic you’re using?’’ She asked in awe. After all, that’s something that she had heard once or twice from Mama Riveria, and even as a Level Six, the Elf didn’t have any sort of magic like that.
‘’Nah. Apparently, they’re Skills that cost Mind. Go figure.’’ Midna shrugged. Her hands clapped once more, making another swap. ‘’Though… clapping seems to make the swapping thing easier, for whatever reason.’’
‘’…Huh. Neat.’’ Tiona hummed.
‘’Neat indeed.’’
‘’Think we are quite done here!’’ Roy called out.
In the little time that they had chatted, the horde of monsters was wiped out. At the feet of the bunny-hume and the human remained dozens of carcasses and discarded knives. The former were plunged into by strands of hair that swiftly ripped the magic stones off. Then, along with the knives, they were quickly pulled into shadows and stored, much to Roy’s chagrin, if the groan he let out was any indication.
‘’Good job, you two. Mama’s eating big tonight.’’ Midna said. Looking between the two with a proud grin and puffed-up chest.
‘’We better. I may have been wasted as fuck, but even in that state, I could tell that Mia’s food was good.’’ Roy chuckled. His head turned from them to the hallway. Specifically, the hallway that had the staircase to the fifth floor. ‘’So, what do you say, Captain? One more floor before heading back?’’
Bell’s breath settled. Her hands remained loose but armed with the daggers. Smart. Dropping your weapon, ‘safe’ or not, was not something anyone should do. Unless you hit a safe zone or make one yourself.
‘’I don’t know.’’ Bell looked at the hallway with doubt. Shoulders tense. ‘’Sixth floor has War Shadows. Eina told me even seasoned level ones are cautious when wandering those floors… Besides, the monsters have another name, too.’’
‘’Which is?’’ Roy raised an eyebrow.
‘’Newbie Killers.’’ Tiona butted in. A little smile appeared on her face. It was not often that she got to give tips to someone, much less teach something! ‘’Both the War Shadows and Killer Ants—an ant-like monster that appears on the seventh floor, all the way to the ninth—hold that title.’’
‘’Don’t think I need an explanation for why they have them.’’ He hummed. Roy’s gaze, however, was laser-focused on where the steps lay. Tiona could tell that he wanted to press on. ‘’What do they do anyway?’’
‘’War Shadows are tricky because they’re silent. No growls or even footsteps. They can also spawn from the ceiling like Dungeon Lizards and hide in shadows. Their claws are like literal daggers, too.’’ Bell informed.
‘’Killer ants, on the other hand.’’ Tiona continued where the bunny left off. ‘’Have a very sweet but kinda nasty smell. They push it out of their body when they’re near death. It’s one-hit-kills or be ready to fight an entire swarm!’’
‘’Any other Monsters besides the War Shadows?’’
‘’…There’s Frog Shooters.’’ Bell commented, then shook her head. ‘’Not nearly as dangerous, but they can shoot their tongue very far and fast.’’
‘’My own recommendation? Grab the tongue, let them pull you.’’ Tiona said with a smile. ‘’Their claws are pretty weak short-range! If you get close and personal and attack the eye, then it’s easy-peasy!’’
‘’Please don’t encourage him, Lady Tiona…’’ The bunny deadpanned.
Huh… Lady? That sounded nice. Respectful, even.
Tiona was kind of liking this, to be honest. Even if the fights weren’t difficult for her, it was its own kind of fun. Like going to the theater and watching a staged battle or reading it from a book!
It certainly helped that these three were fun in their own way. Roy, specifically, proved it more than enough. She would never let Bete not know that he got out-drunk by a level one rookie!
Hm… if only he weren’t a Level One…
‘’Anyway.’’ Midna yawned. In a blink, she disappeared into a shadowy wisp before reappearing on Roy’s shoulders. Purposely hugging the man’s neck with a grin. ‘’In case ya forgot, you have your own shadow-controller right here! If those freaks want to hide in the shadows, I’ll air them bitches out no probs!’’
‘’I support the motion of the lazy fatass.’’ Roy announced flatly.
‘’You weren’t complaining about how fat my ass was yesterday when I shoved it on your—Gah!’’ Suddenly, Midna’s face met the floor.
‘’…Well then. Are we going or not?’’ Roy, who had definitely not just dropped his companion—Err… lover? Into the ground, asked. ‘’We can always have Midna swap us until we reach the staircase again.’’
Bell hesitated. Her red eyes longed between the man and the hallway.
Tiona should probably not do this… but this has been fun, and she didn’t want the fun to end just yet! So, with that in mind, she patted the bunny-hume’s shoulder, causing her to tense and for her ears to straighten up.
Cute.
‘’I can always save your asses… again.’’ Tiona said, and immediately winced. ‘’…You get what I mean.’’
Maybe it was better if she remained shut?
‘’Well… I think it should be safe with Lady Tiona around.’’ Bell concluded. A deep sigh escaped her lips. It was quickly replaced by a determined look. ‘’Alright, let’s get to the sixth floor, guys!’’
‘’Aye!’’ Roy pumped his fist high. Midna, who remained with her face on the floor, just gave a thumbs up. ‘’Oh, right.’’
Unceremoniously, he picked the Pallum by the scruff of her brown cloak. Settling the mildly miffed girl on his shoulder. ‘’Lead the way, oh Captain!’’
Yet, as they hurried up, and the staircase revealed itself. Tiona felt something was… odd.
Bad odd.
And it didn’t take long to know why. It was evident from the second they stepped onto the sixth floor.
‘’What… what happened to the walls?’’ Bell asked.
The Dungeon walls, even the ceiling, were all… cracked. Destroyed. Confused, they stepped into the next hallway, but even as the group changed chambers, it was all the same.
Cracks, cracks, and even more cracks everywhere.
‘’That can’t be normal.’’ Roy commented offhandedly, pressing his palm against the broken remains of the walls.
‘’It isn’t.’’ Tiona shook her head. Following Roy’s example, she pressed a palm to the wall, noticing sharp cuts along the material. ‘’The Dungeon can’t spawn this many monsters on this floor. These cracks are deliberate.’’
Years ago, Tiona learned that, as a rule of thumb, once the Dungeon spawned a monster, it needed time to rebuild, and only when the wall was completely repaired could a new monster spawn in.
So, cracking the Dungeon walls became a ‘’common’’ tactic for weary and tired Adventurers. You cracked a hallway’s walls and could rest for a bit without fear of being jumped.
The repairing process could take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour depending on the floor, but it couldn’t be done in quick succession, because then the monster spawns became much, much quicker.
‘But there shouldn’t be any reason for all of these walls to be cracked. Did rogue Adventurers do this on purpose?’ Tiona questioned with a frown. Her hands tightened into fists, and she unconsciously stepped forward. ‘But where are they—!’
Years of training and monster-killing kicked all at once. Tiona’s eyes widened, and her body moved. Her fist flew in one smooth motion, colliding with a shadowy, humanoid-like shape that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The War Shadow was obliterated into chunks of mist instantly.
‘’Weaker monsters don’t just attack high-level adventurers… They usually run away!’’ Tiona informed, body tensed, confused. ‘What’s happening?’
But that War Shadow was just the first one.
‘’Uh, guys…’’ Midna frowned. ‘’Remember when I said that I could air out the War Shadows?’’
‘’…Yes?’’ Roy frowned, stepping forward with two throwing knives in each hand.
‘’There’s like, dozens of the bastards.’’
Oh…
With their cover blown, the room started to fill with War Shadows. Humanoid and lanky, brandishing their pointy claws like deadly knives.
Midna definitely low-balled it. There were possibly dozens upon dozens of these Monsters.
Yet, among the sudden darkness-made monsters, Tiona noticed that one of them… didn’t look quite right.
A taller one. With a… feminine figure? Unlike its brethren, the ‘crown’ on top of its head held four spikes instead of three, and the lone ‘eye’ in its head was missing.
It was like staring into a proper shadow. Tiona even thought that if she took her gaze away, the thing would vanish into the sea of its brethren altogether!
Not to mention, the onyx-colored claws were much darker in color than others, and they looked twice as sharp.
‘’An irregular? On the sixth floor?’’ She frowned.
And that’s all she could say as the army of shadows pounced.
-X-x-X-.
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Author's Note:
Tiona will (to some measure) keep true to her promise. Remember that for Richard to get the chick, he has to subdue her himself. So this about to be one hell of a grinding session.
I wanted to publish this on Sunday, but I had a lot of family complications, along with a very nasty sickness (that has mostly cleared by now, so that's good!) There will be another chapter soon enough tho. The wonders of comment interaction and whatnot, kek.
I also publish on other sites, if you wish to check them out:
FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/15809388/HamsterX42
QQ: https://forum.questionablequesting.com/search/35199387/?c[users]=HamsterX42&o=date
Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/HamsterX42